Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli starred in one of the most emotional moments of the XVI National March for Life held this weekend in Rome by revealing that doctors recommended his mother have an abortion during pregnancy. The artist sent a letter to the participants of the demonstration in which he publicly thanked his mother’s decision to continue with the pregnancy.
According to Bocelli’s explanation in the message read during the final event of the march, the doctors advised his mother not to proceed with the pregnancy, but she chose to give birth. “I owe everything to that decision,” the singer wrote before thousands of participants gathered to defend the dignity of human life from conception until natural death.
A personal testimony in defense of life
The letter was read by Maria Rachele Ruiu, spokesperson for the Italian organization Pro Vita & Famiglia, during the rally held in St. John Lateran Square at the end of the march.
“My mother, whom the doctors advised not to continue the pregnancy, chose to trust in life and not to renounce her responsibility,” Bocelli wrote. The tenor described his message as a testimony of gratitude and stated that societies that prosper are those that bet on the new generations.
Thousands of people marched through the streets of Rome
The march began in Republic Square with speeches by doctors, activists, writers and representatives of various pro-life organizations. A delegation from the French Marche pour la Vie, one of Europe’s leading pro-life initiatives, also took part.
After the initial speeches, the attendees marched through the streets of Rome to St. John Lateran Square carrying banners, flags and messages in defense of life.
The demographic crisis was very present throughout the day
In addition to defending nascent life, the organizers stressed the need to address the serious demographic problem affecting Italy and much of Europe.
Participants recalled that since the legalization of abortion in Italy in 1978, more than six million abortions have been performed. At the same time, they pointed out that European institutions usually address the birth-rate crisis without considering the impact that the widespread practice of abortion has had on the demographic decline.
The march also received a message of support from Lorenzo Fontana, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, who defended the need to promote policies supporting mothers and families to encourage birth rates.
There were also references to the debate on euthanasia
During the day, reference was also made to the legislative debates underway in Italy on assisted suicide and euthanasia.
The Italian Parliament is currently studying various initiatives related to this issue. Although active euthanasia remains illegal, the country maintains an intense political and legal debate on the limits of assisted suicide and on the development of palliative care.